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  THE 'UP-TO-DATE' CLIFF CHART ACTION  Cliff's "Time Machine Tour" hit No.1 in the DVD/Music Video chart on December 7th, 2008. It is Cliff's 9th chart-topper and his 38th hit in the DVD/Music Video chart.  Cliff's latest hit single "Thank You For A Lifetime" hit No.3 in the U.K. singles chart in September 2008. It is Cliff's 134th hit single and his 123rd Top 40 hit.  Cliff's latest album "50th Anniversary Album", hit No.11 in the U.K. album chart in November 2008. It is Cliff's 61st hit album. Cliff has had 38 Top 10 hits, 46 Top 20 hits and 54 Top 40 hit albums to date.  "The hits I missed" (ITV) screened on Saturday, November 17th, 2001 was watched by 5.8 million in total. It was screened against Robbie William's R.A.H. concert (BBC1). Robbie beat Cliff in the 'overall' figures': 6 million to Cliff's nearly 6 million. However, in the 'Age 35 plus' figures ('the highest viewing figure' group) Cliff had 4.5 million to Robbie's 4 million! CLIFF AND THE SHADOWS ANNIVERSARY TOUR 2009 REUNITED FOR THE VERY LAST TIME List of dates and venues: Kilarney, Co. Kerry INEC Arena 19 Sep Tel.0818 719300 (in Ireland) Tel.0870 243 4455 (in the UK) Tel.(+353) 64 6671555 (international). The Dublin 02 21 Sep Tel. 0818-719300 (in Ireland) Tel. 0870-243-4455 (in the UK) Belfast Odyssey 23 Sep Tel. 02890-739074 The London 02 25, 26, 28 Sep Tel. 0844-856-0202 Nottingham Arena 30 Sep Tel. 08444-124-624 Birmingham NIA 1, 3, 4 Oct Tel. 0844-338-8000 Cardiff CIA 6, 20 Oct Tel. 029-2022-4488 Liverpool Echo Arena 7 Oct Tel. 0844-8000-400 SECC Glasgow 9, 10 Oct Tel. 0870-040-4000 Newcastle Arena 12 Oct Tel. 0844-493-6666 Sheffield Arena 14, 15 Oct Tel. 0114-256-5656 Manchester MEN Arena 17, 18 Oct Tel. 0844-847-8000 Wembley Arena 22, 23 Oct Tel. 0844-815-0815 Ticket Hotline: 08700-11 13 12. On-line booking and Box Offices open CC Hotline: 0844-556-5483 (24 hours). Ticket prices: £60 and £55. (except Cardiff-all £60). Twenty years since their last performance together, Cliff and The Shadows reunite to celebrate their 50th anniversary in the music industry! In the late '50s and early '60s, Cliff and The Shads dominated the British popular music scene, enjoying record-breaking solo and joint careers, and establishing their undisputed place in pop history. Between them they notched up no less than 19 No 1 hits, including Living Doll, Travellin' Light, Please Don't Tease, Bachelor Boy, Wonderful Land and Apache, and starred together in the ever-popular films Summer Holiday and The Young Ones. In 2009 Cliff and The Shadows bring their extraordinary partnership to an end with a Golden Anniversary concert tour of the UK. On the first day of sale, there will be a limit of 6 tickets per person. You are strongly advised to purchase tickets only via the official outlets and not from agencies advertising specific seats at exorbitant prices. These agencies seem to go into receivership on a regular basis, with customers having paid for tickets and receiving nothing. CLIFF AND THE SHADOWS EUROPEAN ANNIVERSARY TOUR 2009 List of dates and venues: Paris, Palais des Congres, France 7 Nov On sale 6 March www.gdp.fr/index.php?idDirBill=1369 Brussels, Forest National, Belgium 8 Nov On sale 2 March www.sherpa.be/Ticket/Ticket1.aspx? Rotterdam, The Ahoy, Holland 10, 11 Nov On sale 3 March www.livenation.nl Tel. 0900 1010 2020 (Holland only) Aallborg, Gigantium, Denmark 13 Nov On sale 2 March www.billetnet.dk Tel. +45 7015 6565 Malmo, Arena, Sweden 14 Nov On sale 2 March www.jiliusbiljettservice.se Tel. +46 775 700 400 Helsinki, Hartwall, Finland 16 Nov On sale 2 March www.menolippu.fi Tel. 0600 414 505 Gothenburg, Scandinavium, Sweden 18 Nov On sale 9 June www.livenation.se/www.ticnet.se Tel. +46 3181 1020/+46 7717 07070 Stockholm, Globen, Sweden 20 Nov On sale 2 March www.jiliusbiljettservice.se Tel. +46 775 700 400 Copenhagen, Forum, Denmark 21 Nov On sale 2 March www.billetnet.dk Tel. +45 7015 6565 Oslo, Spektrum, Norway 23 Nov On sale 2 March www.billetnet.no Tel. +47 8153 3133 Odense, Arena Fyn, Denmark 25, 26 Nov On sale 2 March www.billetnet.dk Tel. +45 7015 6565 Cologne, Lanzess Arena, Germany 28 Nov On sale 2 March www.eventim.de Tel. +49 01805 5700 00 (Ticket hotline) CLIFF'S "TIME MACHINE" TOUR Monday, November 10th, 2008. Wembley Arena, London. It's the first night of the tour and its a packed house eagerly awaiting the show. Onstage there is a large white wheel. On it are years with 5-year gaps between them, starting at 1955(!) going to 2010. There are white steps at either end of the stage. There are two video screens at either side of the stage and two video screens at the back of the stage. They have the logo 'Cliff 50 anniversary' The atmosphere is building as the time ticks on. 7.30pm on the dot and things start happening. On the screens 'System loading', 'check for updates', 'loading' 'system checks'. Then it's black and white newsreels from 1958 with Paul Gambaccini doing the commentary. 'And a young boy bursts onto the music scene...' and Cliff is on wearing a pink jacket, pink tie and black shirt and trousers. We're off into MOVE IT. Everyone is up and singing and clapping along. Now with acoustic guitar it's LIVING DOLL. Cliff talks about Wembley Arena and says that it was here that he was voted the 'Best Newcomer', oh, a few years ago. TRAVELLIN' LIGHT. The Time Machine wheel rolls round to 1981 and it's WIRED FOR SOUND with eight dancers (4 boys, 4 girls) wearing black joining him. On all the songs there is an edgy feel to them as John Clark plays his heart out. Cliff chats about Olivia Newton-John. Says that he will be using his backing singers to join him on duets on this tour and invites Sara-Jane Skeete forward to join him on SUDDENLY. The stage is now set red then turns blue. Great sax by Mike Haughton. Sara-Jane is a beautiful girl with a beautiful voice. For this, they stand on a rotating stage (similar to the one used at the Royal Albert Hall). Next up is DADDY'S HOME with the backing singers and dancers. Now into DEVIL WOMAN with one of the dancers being shown on the two stage video screens posing seductively. Then the screens show bright red flames. All in all, it has a great effect. Cliff always liked the song GREEN LIGHT and he performs it here with the stage all in green. Great version, very rocky and hard. At the end of this the familiar intro to OCEAN DEEP and there are squeals around the audience for this favourite song with the fans. Cliff is now wearing a white jacket and white shirt. Huge applause for this song. Cliff talks about Phil Everly and how he did some duets with him. He says that he has never sung this song on stage before and he invites Keith Murrell to join him for SHE MEANS NOTHING TO ME. Where they are standing on stage rises to reveal two podiums. Good to hear this. Everyone is up and singing along to WE DON'T TALK ANYMORE. Four of the dancers join him on this. Mentions that Bruce Welch found some great songs for him. He's in tonight says Cliff, but then, oh, he's not? Cliff says 'Do you remember Rod Stewart did the great American songbook? Well, I had recorded those type of songs for an album and did them way back when Norrie Paramor got in the strings on my early albums. So, a real oldie is I DON'T KNOW WHY. Great sax by Mike again. Cliff, of course, sang this on the 'Cliff Sings' album. Cliff puts a few wiggles into this and gets some more squeals from the fans. Another surprise is WE KISS IN A SHADOW, the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic that Cliff did on 'Listen to Cliff' album. Lovely flute playing provided by Mike Haughton. Now it's more newsreels and it's 1968 footage of President Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, the moon landing and a certain singer hitting the big screen. Cliff now in purple jacket goes into THE YOUNG ONES, followed by SUMMER HOLIDAY. The dancers are all decked out in summer gear. The stage videos show some amusing clips of them. On stage Cliff is suddenly being carried on a surf board! Large beachballs are going out into the audience. Now its BACHELOR BOY with the male dancers. Cliff strolls along the stage to THE NEXT TIME. SO good to see and hear Cliff perform this superb ballad again. Back to 1968 for CONGRATULATIONS. This gets a thunderous applause at the end. Now Cliff, talking to Paul Gambaccini, says he is going to do a song from 1977. 'No, not Devil woman, not We don't talk, we've done them'. An unreleased song that has been unearthed. It's MOBILE ALABAMA SCHOOL LEAVING HULLABALLOO with all the dancers and some fantastic guitar work from John Clark. Absolutely LOVE it! Cliff goes off. On screens: 'Shutting down' 'restart in 30 minutes'. Its 8.45pm and the interval. 9.15pm and on the screens 'System loading reboot' and there is a countdown from 10 to 1. GO! STRONGER THAN THAT with Cliff now in jeans, black shirt and black shiny shirt with black bomber style jacket. Dancers with him also. How good is it to hear this again?! Great stuff! The Time Machine wheel turns to 1995 and clips from 'Heathcliff' are shown on the stage screens. Abbie Osmon joins Cliff for HAD TO BE. FROM A DISTANCE now from 1990. Cliff on acoustic guitar gets Peter Howarth to join him on ALL I HAVE TO DO IS DREAM. Really nice version of this. SOME PEOPLE Cliff sings against a starry backdrop, with Cliff himself singing on the stage screens. The overall effect is quite stunning as it reminds me very much of 'Time' stage musical. Two dancers come on and change Cliff's jacket to a real sparkly black one. Cliff talks about Tear Fund and his recent trip to Brazil. IT'S IN EVERYONE OF US from 'Time' is a real treat. Images of starving children are shown on the stage screens and the overall effect is very moving. Cliff sings the song beautifully. EXCELLENT. Cliff says that the proceeds from tonight's concert go to Tear Fund. Cliff now sings WHEN I SURVEY THE WONDROUS CROSS perfectly. He now chats about Andrew Lloyd-Webber and 'that' Phantom song and that he was thrilled to record it. Abbie Osmon joins him on ALL I ASK OF YOU. Their voices blend well together. Abbie has a strong voice. There is a kiss at the end! Cliff says that, he can't remember why but he banned this song. "Well, tonight, I'm unbanning it!" HONKY TONK ANGEL. Talks about Gloria Hunniford and her daughter Caron Keating and sings Caron's favourite MISS YOU NIGHTS, only this a totally different arrangement. An acapella version. Cliff says its a tribute to those we/you have lost. As he sings, names and pictures come up on the stage screens, Lionel Bart, Billy Fury, Adam Faith. The phrasing of the song is so different. Now it's 2005 and WHAT CAR with the dancers. Cliff goes off. Pictures of EP covers and album covers come up on the screens. Cliff now wearing a white suit and white spangly tie. He mentions that the DVD of the show (recorded on Saturday) will be out on December 1st. "I'm going to buy one" he jokes. He reveals that next year he will be touring with The Shadows. Confirmed. Huge roar of approval. (Tour details are in the tour brochure). Cliff says that no way could he sing all his songs in two and a half hours. So, in this next 10 minutes, I'm going to do all the rest! Now follows a terrific 50s/60s medley of HIGH CLASS BABY, DYNAMITE, PLEASE DON'T TEASE, 40 DAYS, DO YOU WANNA DANCE, I COULD EASILY FALL and IN THE COUNTRY. Now a full-blown version of I'M NEARLY FAMOUS with all the dancers. Brilliant. At the end of the song, many teddy bears are through onto the stage. Cliff thanks all the band, backing singers and tour personnel. Into THE MILLENNIUM PRAYER. Everyone is up and singing and swaying along to this. This is followed immediately by a new song GOLDEN, which is a ballad. The words are not that dis-similar to 'Thank you for a lifetime'. A lovely chorus to this. It reminds me of an Andy Williams song, but I can't put my finger on which one. Now into THANK YOU FOR A LIFE TIME. There is a reprise of 'We don't talk anymore' and after lots of waving Cliff leaves the stage. The Time Machine has certainly taken us back in time and made the memories come flooding back with an excellent choice of songs that reflect not only his pop career but his faith also. Cliff has given something to please everyone. And at the end of the day, that is what he would have wanted. Cliff Richard is still a class act, true to his fans and true to himself. The Time Machine had landed and we all got on board - reliving some glorious years from a glorious career. Cliff is the pop star that seems to make time stand still. He defies everyone else...in style. Review by William. (If you use this review please credit). More on the "Time Machine"...snippets...snippets The tour brochure contains a year-by-year page run down and is packed with Cliff memorabilia. In total there are 76 full colour pages and at £15 it is well worth the money. You can re-live every year and it is up-to-date with 2008 and the Cliff and Shadows tour details for 2009...Of the rest of the official merchandise on offer there is a Light up carrier bag with on/off switch (£4) and is really neat...Other items include: T-shirts, scarves, fridge magnets, mugs, pen, badge, watch, baseball cap, jigsaw and much more...The DVD given away free on showing your ticket is an absolute 'gem'. Cliff starts off singing "Move it" on guitar in Alan Tarney's studio. Cliff chats about his career, Alan Tarney, Terry Britten and The Shadows and talks nicely about his fans. He talks about Chris Eaton and then he sings the new song "Golden" with Keith Hayman on keyboards. A 'must have' for every Cliff fan... Here is the chorus of the new Chris Eaton song "Golden": "As the seasons change, one thing remains the same, You've always been right there, With arms wide open. You're the treasure in my soul, And I will never let you go, The love affair that never will be broken, You have been golden"...Cliff sings 41 songs on the "Time Machine" tour: 19 in the first half and 22 in the second half...The 1st night after show party was totally manic...WEDNESDAY NOV.12th...Another excellent show. Cliff starting to look a bit more relaxed and comfortable...The entire arena is FULL...Cilla Black and Gloria Hunniford in the audience...More time tonight to look at the 'on-screen' video screens. The little cameos acted out by Cliff and the dancers are really quite clever and amusing. Well done to whoever did these...When singing 'Some people' the video screen Cliff disappears for a while and then returns. At the end of the song Cliff jokes "That's the last time I'm going to duet with myself!"...'When I survey the wondrous cross" doesn't quite end right. On the last few notes, Cliff sings it slightly differently. It sounds alright, but it wasn't as Cliff did it on Monday. At the end of the song, he puts his hand to his chest and clears his throat...Cliff mentions that Bruce Welch is in the audience tonight...At the end of 'Miss you nights' everyone stands up to applaud...After "What car" and when Cliff returns for the 50s/60s medley there is a run to the front...Collections on exit tonight for Children In Need...SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15th...Tonight is the fourth and last night at Wembley Arena...Rows and rows of coaches in the car park...The arena is totally packed...Cliff fluffs the words of "The young ones", but only slightly...Yet again, Cliff is looking really relaxed and enjoying himself...Overheard in the interval - one of the Wembley staff to some fans re. the amount of people here - "It's just like The Spice Girls!" (Oh no, it's not!!)...At the end of "Had to be" someone shouts 'I love you Cliff' very loudly...There is no spoken introduction to "Honky tonk angel"...Run to the front for "What car"...When Cliff sings "Golden" everyone listens to it intently so much so that you could hear a pin drop...After the show, hundreds of fans wait for Cliff to come out and they wave him off... CARDIFF: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17TH...Packed arena...Cliff sound/lookalike Jimmy Jemain in the audience tonight...Right from the very start of the show and all through it, no standing is allowed at all. Very heavy security...Notice that for "Devil woman" the bit with the girl on the screen has disappeared...Cliff slightly fluffs "From a distance"...Balloons are thrown up onto the stage near the end...Any fans trying to move are told to go back to their seats and sit down, even at the end...TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18TH...Prior to tonight's concert Cliff receives a tall large gold trophy from me with a music note on the top on a heavy marble base with the inscription: '"Constantly Cliff" Top Male Singer Sir Cliff Richard 1958 - 2008'. This is given on behalf of all Cliff fans everywhere in appreciation of 50 golden years...Much better audience atmosphere tonight...Our "Devil woman" girl returns tonight on the video screen!...Sitting close to the stage tonight makes you realise just how energetic the William Forsythe dancers are...The hydraulic stages work tonight...The duets that Cliff does with Keith Murrell, Sara-Jane Skeete, Peter Howarth and Abbie Osmon are superb...Near perfect performance from Cliff tonight - he looks happy and relaxed - just forgets his talk prior to "Miss you nights" but singing is spot on...You could say that the "Time Machine" is now really operating on full power and ready for the move to Birmingham... BIRMINGHAM: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20TH...Great atmosphere here, as always...Jimmy Jemain is sitting a few seats along on our row...Cliff did a slightly longer introduction to "She means nothing to me" talking about duet styles...Cliff in fine voice tonight...Near the end of "Congratulations", just before the slow 'Con-grat-u-lat-tions' Cliff says "This one's for Franco!"...Cliff slightly fluffs the words to "Stronger than that" but picks it up...The best interpretation of 'When I survey' so far...Fans run to the front for "What car" and the 50s/60s medley, but eventually have to go back to their seats...SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22ND...Late start tonight. Starts at 7.40pm...When Paul Gambaccini does his talk just before "The young ones" it is cut short...Interval is 8.50pm...After Cliff returns after "What car" he has to do something with his shoes. He jokes "These quick changes". Then he checks his flies! Great laughs all round. "He shouts "Roger!"...When Cliff is singing "Thank you for a life time" fans throw up loads of gold balloons...SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23RD...An unusual thing happened to us tonight. My seat was OK but my wife's and the people sitting next to her were broken! So, they had to send for a repair man, who literally picked up the seats and took them away! So, we had to stand in the aisle waiting for this man to come back with different seats. Meanwhile, two ladies who would have been sitting on them arrived to find NO seats! They took it in good part and took photos of the 'invisible' seats! I sang "The seats are gone, move on" They laughed. The man returned with different seats - we all sat down and everything was resolved. Now, the show is about to start!...Brilliant atmosphere here on Cliff's last night at Birmingham. Everyone is here to enjoy themselves...Many give a standing ovation at the end of "Ocean deep"...At the end of "Congratulations" on the slow bit, everyone sings it all quickly and Cliff stops and jokes "Now, look what you've done!" and he re-starts it...In the interval Bill Latham announces about the free DVD (the first time this has happened so far)...Cliff is in great voice tonight...Superb "When I survey" and "Miss you nights"...Gold balloons from the fans at the front...Cliff is really bouncing around the stage for "Thank you for a life time"...Cliff has a day off tomorrow before heading off to Manchester MEN Arena on Tuesday... MANCHESTER: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25TH...Wonderful atmosphere - we were on our feet dancing most of the concert and Cliff seemed to be responding to the crowd...Particular highlights were "IT'S IN EVERY ONE OF US" - it was superb; "MOBILE ALABAMA SCHOOL LEAVING HULLABALLO" -Cliff was so energetic and seemed to be enjoying himself thoroughly...Wonderful "GOLDEN" and "THANK YOU FOR A LIFETIME" - Cliff seems to be getting more emotional as this tour goes on...Fans screamed every time Cliff did a dancing gesture in "I don't know why", fans counting down 10, 9, 8 etc at the start of the second half...At the end of "Some People" Cliff said "I've never sung with myself before but (looking up at the screen where the screen Cliff had been) he's not bad!"...Cliff mentioned that he'd brought out a book and it reached no 1 - he said "I can't get a No.1 single but I can get a No.1 book!"...No problems with seats but no numbers on any of them so we all had to count along the row to work out where they were...WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26TH...Comedian Peter Kay in the audience tonight...Another wonderful concert - Cliff was superb throughout...Brilliant atmosphere again - everyone on their feet dancing throughout...Loved the duets SHE MEANS NOTHING TO ME and ALL I HAVE DO IS DREAM - Cliff certainly seems to love doing duets and both Keith and Peter sing with the same relaxed/"I'm enjoying myself" style as Cliff...The intro to MISS YOU NIGHTS came over particularly emotionally and the audience was responsive to this with spontaneous sighs when he mentioned Caron Keating and when Jill Dando's photo came up and especially when the photo of Cliff's Mum and Dad was shown...As Cliff walked off stage he was holding a teddy bear that had been thrown on the stage. As he walked behind Keith Hayman he put the bear face down on Keith's head!...Keith did not look amused!! (the previous night Cliff pretended to pour a drink over Keith's head!)...NEWCASTLE: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28TH...When Cliff mentioned Olivia he deliberately said upfront "I don't want to disappoint you but she's not here" (Said this because on previous nights people had got excited thinking she was there!)...When Cliff mentioned about his concerts that he did at the RAH - he said "I know some of you were at the Royal Albert Hall" then when the audience cheered he said "O.K. ALL of you were at the Royal Albert Hall !!"...When Cliff mentioned about next year's concerts (this was the Friday before the tickets went on sale) the audience cheered and then Cliff said "Oh - Are you coming?" and he pointed the microphone towards the girls on the front row. They said "we're going to start queuing in the car park immediately after tonight's show !!"...Cliff said "Isn't that just the queue for the car park tickets?"...As Cliff walked off at the end behind Keith Hayman, he put his purple spotted handkerchief (which he's been using to wipe his face) onto the back of Keith's head! "50TH ANNIVERSARY FAN CLUB AFTERNOON TEA" Sunday, October 19th, 2008. Oakley Court Hotel, Windsor. This 'Fan Club Afternoon Tea' is being given by Cliff for his Fan Club representatives. Fan Club Presidents from the UK and abroad have gathered for this very special event. Many have attended from many miles away, including New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and the USA. There are 70 people arriving at this beautiful hotel, all gathering in the Westminster Room. We gather in the adjoining bar and already there is a buzz. Everyone is meeting up with people they may have met previously at concerts or meeting with people they have never seen before! Anton Husmann and Harry de Louw, from the International Cliff Richard Movement are here and it's good to meet up with them. We queue up to enter the large room, which is laid out perfectly with lit candlelabras. The new Cliff album "Cliff- 50th Anniversary Album" is playing and it gradually gets louder. There is a real atmosphere here today as shortly we will be meeting the man himself (and I don't mean Bill Latham). 2.55pm and there is a loud burst of applause as Cliff enters the room with Bill alongside. Cliff is wearing a brown jacket and trousers, with open-necked pink and black striped shirt with a red jumper. Bill says that today sees a 'unique' event. Bill outlines today's schedule, which will include the tea, everyone having their photos taken with Cliff (Sue Andrews is the photographer) and a chance later to ask Cliff some questions. The tea contains sandwiches, scones with jam and fresh cream, strawberries and various cakes. While we are having the tea, we break off to go and have our photos taken with Cliff. I take the opportunity to ask him how the tour rehearsals are going, especially the dancing. Cliff says that it was fragmented doing the singing, then learning the new dance routines, but he has recently combined the two, so it is coming on nicely now. I ask him about the songs and he says he will be singing "Honky tonk angel" on the tour! After the photos and the tea, Cliff takes the microphone and thanks everyone for coming. Cliff then comes round all the tables to present us with a present! It's a small black decorated box that contains a silver key-ring with the inscription 'Cliff Richard 50th Anniversary Fan Club Tea. 19.10.08'. Gifts are being given to him also. Our table, which includes Anton, Harry and their wives, Angelique and friend and Sandie from East Anglia and Bryan, is the last table visited by Cliff - and my wife Moya is the very last person to get the Cliff gift! I mention this to Cliff and he laughs and pats me on the back. I have never seen Cliff look so happy and relaxed. There is such a warm atmosphere and combined love for Cliff in the room that you feel you can actually touch it. 4pm and Cliff and Bill sit on two tall stools for an interview. Bill asks him about his book "You really enjoyed doing this book, didn't you?" which he enjoyed doing with Penny Junor. Cliff says "Yes". At the start, it was just all facts and then there were three drafts and he became really involved in this book building up the chapters. "How did the tour come to be called Time Machine?" Cliff says that it was because many fans remember songs from when they were courting, got married, had children and the songs ran alongside their lives. He reveals that he very nearly used this title on a tour before - the plans were drawn up and everything, but for some reason, it didn't come off. So now, celebrating 50 years, was an ideal time to use it! Talks about the dance routines all now coming together and so, "Yes, it's all taking shape". Bill asks "Were you very disappointed that 'Thank you for a life time' didn't get to No.1?" Many shout out "Yes!" "I didn't mean you!" jokingly. Cliff says that downloads failed him, but did you know that "I sold more than the whole Top 75 so, in a way, I was No.1". Cliff asks how many of us downloaded. Many put up their hands. Cliff says that he was very lucky to get a song, two songs in fact, that are 'thank you' songs, and they don't make you go 'Yuck'- the other, a ballad, he will be singing on the new tour. He talks of record sales back in the 60s when he and the Shadows would sell 80,000 copies a day. People now download just a few songs, which affects an album's sales. Bill: "Do you think you were there at the heyday of the single? Do you miss it?" Cliff says that he does miss it and that radio plays such an important part in having hits. To still be recording and performing 50 years on "is a miracle". Cliff says that he now does 'project' albums, which seem to work and sell well. Bill says that is amazing that fans have followed him since 1958. "That is loyalty". "Absolutely" says Cliff. Bill asks if he ever gets irritated by fans. Cliff says only when they interrupt him eating, but it is rare. He says that when he goes out, he always puts something decent on, just in case there is a photo in the paper. How are the tour rehearsals going? Cliff says that he asked Malcolm if he could have an extra week's rehearsal this time, which he has, and he's glad. Cliff says that he wil be singing five duets on the tour, which include "Had to be" and "All I ask of you". On the tour, Cliff will be able to 'zap' into the years right from the 50s through to the 00s. Bill confirms that Cliff and The Shadows will be performing at this year's Royal Variety Show. Cliff talks about 'Mobile Alabama school leaving hullabulloo' and it was unearthed and he didn't remember the song. After hearing it, he remembered it. "It's a cracking rock'n'roll number. William would love it!" Cliff says that he will sing it on the tour. Also, he will do a 12-minute medley of songs he hasn't sung on the tour. He says that he can see him forgetting what comes next, but JJ will tell me through my speakers. So, it might be "Please don't tease", then "40 days". Bill: "Any plans to retire?" Cliff: "Retirement is not a word I use. I try to slow down, but I am working less and then, when I do work, it's more intensely. Bill: "If there was one place, home, you had to live in, which would it be?" Cliff: "It would be Portugal. It's a 30-acre farm and it's so peaceful. I feel encased in privacy there. If there was one place to live when I'm 100, it would be America. Everything is so assessable there. You can go to the movies, eat popcorn, walk down the street. If there was one place I had to give up, it would be Barbados. Barbados is frantic". Bill now opens up the room to anyone to ask Cliff questions. Someone asks "What have you enjoyed doing the most Cliff?" Cliff: "Career-wise? it would have to be 'Heathcliff' - a combination of the things I enjoy doing the most, acting and singing". "You say about doing tours in the winter, when it's cold and you could catch flu, why don't you tour say in the Spring?" Bill says "Good point". Cliff says that it's a financial thing. Most artists tour in the autumn/winter time and thats when tours make money. "Special effects on the tour? Cliff says that over the years, everyone LOVED the lasers on 'Ocean deep'. Bill then says "William" and then "Is that still the same (white) jacket?" I say "No!". he says "Oh good!" Fortunately, I do have a question. "Many years ago Cliff, you said that your favourite album was 'Rock'n'roll juvenile'. Given all the great albums you have made over the years, is that still your favourite? What would be your favourite three albums now?" Cliff: 'Rock'n'roll juvenile' is still one of my favourites. We had so much fun doing that. It had good songs written by Terry Britten and BA Robertson. 'Carrie' was on that. 'We don't talk anymore'. But, you'd have to let me have five. 'Wired for sound' was another great album" Cliff talks about the title song and starts singing some of it: 'power from the needle to the plastic' highlighting the notes and how he sings it diffently on stage now to the record. 'I'm nearly famous' was a fun album to do, but a lot of hard work. Bruce would make me really work on that. He would make me do it over and over to get it right. He was a stickler to getting the right notes. Then there was 'Always guaranteed' which sold so well and had terrific songs. Bill says "Something's goin' on?" Cliff: "I thought it was one of my best albums, but for some reason, it didn't sell like we hoped for and I don't really know why. Everyone raved over it". Someone asks about his trips abroad for Tear Fund and Cliff says that really we have nothing to worry about compared to some countries. Bill mentions the 'Songs of Praise' special to be shown in December. Who did the backing on 'Theme for a dream'? Cliff: "It was the Mike Sammes singers. They did the backing on that". Plans to tour Europe next year? Cliff says that he is hoping to get the Cliff and Shadows shows sorted soon and that he will be able to announce it to coincide with the TM tour and because he and the Shadows were so popular abroad, it would be ideal to take the shows abroad, but he can't confirm anything just yet. He says that the days with the Shadows were great fun and in a way, he misses the camaraderie. Christine Whitehead asks "Why do you not do the 'Audience with' evenings any more? Cliff: "Oh, you mean the gospel evenings? I pulled back on these to let other people do it. It's not so easy to fit them in these days, but there's no reason why we couldn't do them". Katrina Richards, New Zealand asks: "Taking up William's point, why not sing in the original keys?" Cliff: "Well, there's a difference in singing on the record and singing live. Your voice changes also over the years."Are you scared of anything? Bill: "Well, you don't like spiders". Cliff: "No". He goes on to say that there is something about them and his sisters always shouted for him to deal with them". Getting back to singing, he says that he does all these vocal exercises called 'trills', which he does for us! His coach says that Cliff's voice is good and that he is singing with ease. Obviously it's a worry if his voice ever gave out. Cliff says he would know if it was giving out. "How about a new song with the Shadows? Could be No.1" Someone else says that the Shads' fans would buy it as well, so more sales. Cliff says that he's not sure that even then that would be enough to get to No.1, but we could do that. Bill draws an end to the questions. Anton steps forward to thank Cliff for the event and what do you give a man for a present. A bottle of wine to a man who has a winery! No, so he presents Cliff with a large cheque for £2,500 (money from the Fan Clubs) for the Brazilian project for Tear Fund. Cliff: "Thank you so much". Bill says that loyalty is so important. Thank you for giving so much over the years to various things". Katrina now steps up to talk about John, a downs syndrome boy, who loves Cliff and his music and who does cross-stitch. When John knew that Katrina would be seeing Cliff today, he wanted to do something special for Cliff. So Katrina presented Cliff with a cushion, made by John, with a teddy bear in a rocking chair on it. "Cliff thank you for today". Loud applause. Cliff now draws a name out of an envelope and Gwen Cooper from South Africa wins a very large flower table display! Now, it's three cheers for Cliff. Cliff then bids his farewells and the event is over. Everyone feels very privileged to have attended. A huge 'Well done' to Gill Snow who organised the event. At the beginning of the 'Tea', Bill had said that this was a unique event. Everyone attending today would certainly agree with that. Up close and very personal with a living legend. And yet, it was just like all friends together with someone we feel we have known all our lives. It was a truly 'unique' event, in all senses of the word. THANK YOU CLIFF. Review by William. (If you use this review please credit). "SHADOWMANIA" 2008 Saturday, September 20th sees the 10th anniversary "Shadowmania" event at Frimley Leisure Complex, Camberley, Surrey. Packed rooms as always of Shadows and Cliff memorabilia and the atmosphere is buzzing. 3pm and Bruce comes on to welcome everyone. 1st on are The Runaways, who are from Kent, Superb sound on "Theme for young lovers", "Black is black" and "Theme from the Deer Hunter". Now it's some Hank solo numbers: "Jessica" and "Goldfinger". A terrific version of "Stranger on the shore" follows. They finish off with "Chattanogoo choo choo", "Moonlight shadow" and "The lost city". 4.15pm and it's The Foottappers, a very young and talented group. Highlights are "The sound of silence", "Guitar tango" and an excellent "Atlantis". Licorice Locking comes onstage to huge applause. On harmonica he joins them on "Mountains of the moon". Now on guitar "Rodrigo's guitar concerto", "Dance on" and "Geromino". Back on harmonica he plays the Whitney Houston hit "I will always love you". Licorice leaves. Now the Foottappers play "Saturday night at the duck pond" and then Licorice re-joins them for Queen's "We are the champions". Special mention must be made of young Timothy on drums, who is a real drumming talent. 5.30pm and from Norway now it's The Reflections. A great "Cruel sea" followed by "Enola gay" and "Parisian walk ways" - excellent. Joined by Indra - "South of the border", "The stranger", "Georgy girl", "Quatermaster's stores" and "I saw her standing there". Indra leaves and the Reflections play "Theme from Exodus". Now it's the interval. Chat to members of Shadows group Bungleflint and many Cliff fans in the audience. 7.20pm the popular Rapiers are on stage and tearing through "The savage", "Saturday dance" and "I want you to want me". into "Theme from a filleted place" and everyone is singing and clapping along to "Do you wanna dance". "Shadoogie. "Change guitars for "My grand father's clock" and them it's "At the gallop - William Tell" with the group running, whilst playing, back and forth. Great applause. Jet Harris is now on. "Big bad bass", "Applejack" and "Jet black". Jet says that Cliff Hall will be joining them on keyboards. As usual, lots of Jet quips along the way and it's "Scarlet O'Hara", "Applejack" and two ladies come on to accompany them on "Dance with the guitar man" - this always sounds great. "Besume mucho". Now it's Jet on "Nivram", "Theme for something really important" and "Diamonds". The Rapiers leave and Jet and some of his chums plays "Song for Tony". 8.55pm and it's Bruce Welch's Shadows. Bruce on rhythm guitar, Phil Kelly lead guitar, Alan Jones bass guitar, Bob Watkins on drums and Cliff Hall on keyboards. Straight into "Ghost riders in the sky", "The rise and fall of Flingel Bunt" and "Time is tight". The mood slows for "Theme from High noon" and "Sleepwalk". Singing now on "That's the way it goes". Bruce on accoustic guitar "Fandango", "Theme from Shane", Gonzales" and the lovely "Cosy". Bruce asks if there any Cliff fans in tonight? Loud 'Yes'. into "Lucky lips". Now it's "Kon tiki" and "Foot tapper". Bruce talks about Cliff and that he was at his official book launch. "Some are lonely", "Apache" and the little heard "A sigh". "Then it's the super "Peace pipe" from "The young ones". Bruce talks about Buddy Holly and sings his favourite song of his "Peggy Sue got married". Bruce says that Buddy would be 72 if he were alive today! "Equinox" is excellent and then it's a cover of The Ventures' "Perfidia". "Theme from A summer place". They then play "Telstar" and mentoins that Clem Cattini of The Tornados is in the audience. He stands and takes a bow. Accoustic guitars for the Everly Brothers' "So sad". Talk of Lonnie Donegan and skiffle and it's "Putting on the style" complete with wash-board! "Don't cry for me Argentina" leads to "Wonderful land". Bruce thanks everyone who has supported the event over 10 years and into the finale of "FBI". Another great Shadows evening. William bringing you the latest up-to-date Cliff news! Right at the end of Cliff's "WANTED" concert at the NIA Birmingham October 26th, 2002, I presented Cliff with a silver cup on a marble base with the inscription: "Constantly Cliff" Special Award SIR CLIFF RICHARD "WANTED" BEST POP TOUR 2002/2003 on behalf of Cliff fans everywhere. He accepted it with a huge smile saying "Thank you" and went off stage holding it tightly.  |
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